Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: I love POMEGRANATES, but I often have trouble removing the seeds without bursting them. Is there an easier way to remove them, and is it OK to eat the white part of the seed (the whole seed)? — Angela G. in Ohio

Pomegranates are so tasty and add color to many dishes. Arils ( t he red seeds) can be eaten, i ncluding t he white part. Removing the seeds is easy, too. Cut off about an inch of the top of the fruit. Looking down, you’ll see sections to pull apart. Fill a bowl with water, place the sections in it and gently pull out the seeds, and they will sink to the bottom.

Throw out the rest, and strain the seeds. Now you can just pop them in your mouth to enjoy, or store in a container in the refrigerator. — Heloise

P.S.: Pomegranates (whole) will keep for about one month on the counter or two in the refrigerator. So, stock up when they are at a good price.

The name “pomegranate” comes from Middle French, and literally means “seeded apple.” It also is referred to as a Chinese apple. SAVING SPINACH Dear Heloise: I usually buy fresh spinach to put in my omelets, but sometimes it goes bad before I can use it all. By chance, I took some fresh spinach, dropped it into a small, plastic bag and placed it into the freezer (rinsed and patted dry — Heloise).

It kept l onger, and when I pulled it out, I broke it into pieces by crunching the bag. Wish I knew this years ago! — Karen B., via email CONTAINING SUGARS Dear Heloise: Brown sugar and powdered sugar are sold in boxes or bags, which I find messy. I avoid the mess while employing the environmental principle of repurposing.

I use an empty container of Parmesan cheese ( washed) for powdered sugar. The container has openings on top, with small holes for sprinkling and a bigger one for spooning.

For brown sugar, I clean a used, plastic coffee container. One designed to hold 11-12 ounces of coffee is the best size. — Bill C., via email